News Brief
Bengaluru's HAL Airport Gears Up For Comeback As Civilian Flight Hub Post-2033
Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru. (Pixabay/Bishnu Sarangi)
Bengaluru’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Airport, which served as the city’s primary air hub until 2008, is preparing for a significant overhaul, according to The New Indian Express report.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has approved a comprehensive master plan to modernise the facility, potentially accommodating up to 40 lakh passengers annually by 2047.
Since 2008, commercial air traffic in Bengaluru has been routed through Kempegowda International Airportin Devanahalli. However, HAL Airport continues to handle about 12 small aircraft daily, including operations by defense forces, VIPs, and private entities.
The airport features a single operational runway measuring 3,306 meters in length and 61 meters in width, with 24/7 functionality and 30 aircraft parking slots.
The approved redevelopment includes:
Passenger Capacity: Upgraded to manage 2,500 passengers during peak hours and an annual capacity of 40 lakh by 2047.
Road Widening: Expansion of the two-lane road in front of the terminal to a four-lane corridor for smoother traffic flow.
HAL Airport is currently restricted by an exclusivity clause in its concession agreement with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which prohibits other airports within a 150-km radius from operating commercial flights. This agreement, signed in 2004, expires on 24 May 2033, paving the way for HAL to reopen for civilian flights.
Given Bengaluru’s rapid urban expansion and increasing air traffic, the demand for a second operational airport has become pressing. A senior official highlighted HAL’s potential role in bolstering the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN), enhancing air links to nearby cities and towns.
Before ceasing commercial operations in 2008, HAL Airport handled over 10 lakh passengers during the 2007-08 fiscal year. The revamped facility aims to reclaim its position as a vital aviation hub, complementing Kempegowda International Airport in meeting the city’s growing needs.
With infrastructure upgrades and its eventual reopening for civilian use, HAL Airport is poised to become an integral part of Bengaluru’s aviation ecosystem once again.
